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Italian Grinder

My husband’s favorite sandwich in the world is an Italian Grinder from a place called Gambino’s in Moscow, Idaho where we went to college. He was recently really sick with a terrible head cold so I tried to re-create this sandwich in hopes it would make him feel a little less miserable. It has salami, pepperoni, ham, provolone, lettuce, tomato, pepperocini, Italian dressing, and crushed red pepper on a crusty hoagie bun. It turned out amazing (I had a bite or two)! I don’t know if it was as good as Gambino’s, my husbands too nice to say, but he did say that he loved it! When I asked if I could have made it any better he replied that a bit more crushed red pepper would make it perfect. I have to say, this may be MY new favorite sandwich too!

Side Note: I have been nominated for the Top 25 Foodie Moms for 2012 on Circle of Moms! Please feel free to vote for me here if you want (no pressure). Thanks for your support!!!

Spread mayonnaise on each side of each side of the hoagie bun. Layer each side of the hoagie with ham, salami, and pepperoni then layer the provolone cheese down the center. Place into the broiler (on low) and cook, watching carefully, for 2 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Place the lettuce down the center followed by the tomatoes and pepperocinis. Drizzle the top with Italian dressing, to taste and a sprinkling of sea salt, freshly cracked pepper, crushed red pepper, to taste. Serve immediately. Enjoy.

Instructions

Spread mayonnaise on each side of each side of the hoagie bun. Layer each side of the hoagie with ham, salami, and pepperoni then layer the provolone cheese down the center. Place into the broiler (on low) and cook, watching carefully, for 2 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Place the lettuce down the center followed by the tomatoes and pepperocinis. Drizzle the top with Italian dressing, to taste and a sprinkling of sea salt, freshly cracked pepper, crushed red pepper, to taste. Serve immediately. Enjoy.

I have been enjoying your recipes for the past week, I loved the Lemon Orzo Salad recipe! thanks for providing this simple Italian sandwich, I have voted for you with confidence! Good luck, I will also pin it so people can discover your creativity.

Hi Pam,
I wonder why I could never succeed making this Italian Grinder
How did you do it? I’ll try again for sure and this time I’ll refer to your recipe as my guide 🙂
Thanks also for the tempting food photos. Looks like they were made by professional. Have you ever heard about food photography site called http://www.foodporn.net ?
Your pics should be on the Food Porn home page, that’s for sure!

Congratulations on your nomination, Pam! You most certainly deserve the award and you have my vote! Thanks for sharing this mouthwatering sandwich too… My husband loves the same kind of flavors in a sandwich, too. Great recipe!

Sorry to hear that your husband hasn’t been feeling well, how wonderful that you tried to recreate his favorite sandwich to lift his spirits. I know a favorite dish would definitely ease my discomfort. The sandwich looks delicious. Whether or not it is as good as the original, I’m sure he was touched by the gesture.

That is so funny! I read your blog all the time and had no idea you wentt to college in Moscow (also where I went). When I saw the “Italian Grinder” title I was like, “Huh, Gambino’s has that…” Small world.